External testing of the browser ballot screen will begin next week in three countries: the United Kingdom, Belgium and France. Users wanting to test the new prompt will be able to download the software update from Windows Update.

The browser ballot screen software update will be offered as an automatic download through Windows Update for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 users. Users who currently have Internet Explorer selected as the default browser will see an introductory screen providing them with information about the update. If Internet Explorer was “pinned” to the Windows 7 taskbar, the browser choice screen software update will automatically unpin it as shown below.

Microsoft said it plans to begin a phased roll-out of the update across Europe the week of March 1.